Gael Monfils withdraws from Hopman Cup

SYDNEY: Frenchman Gael Monfils has pulled out of the Hopman Cup in Western Australia with a leg injury. Monfils, the World No.24, will be replaced by fellow Frenchman Kenny de Schepper in the tournament from January 3-9 ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open in Melbourne. “I was really looking forward to travelling to Perth for the first time and teaming up with Caroline Garcia,” 29-year-old Monfils said in a statement about the mixed team tournament, according to the Australian Associated Press. World No.1 Serena Williams, the Australian Open defending champion, and world number two Andy Murray, the Open men’s runner-up, start their 2016 seasons at the Hopman Cup.